Chrismaggedon
We are deep in what a friend refers to as “Chrismaggedon” – this mad time of year when we are simultaneously wrapping up work and school (and also presents) while preparing for an invasion of relatives and/or going away for the family holiday.
A holiday which we will most definitely need because if we weren’t burnt out from the preceding eleven months, this final one will set fire to whatever is left of our composure.
It is nuts, isn’t it? This thing we do in Aotearoa of doing everything all at once – attend school breakups and office dos and finish work projects and shut up shop while also shopping for gifts, basting a ham and packing the car for a road trip.
In other countries they’ll start school mid-year, make Christmas a one-day event, and separate gift-giving expenses and vacation costs into entirely different parts of the calendar.
Here in the antipodes, then, we need strategies for survival. You may already know what works for you. Project Management, delegation, chardonnay – I’ve seen a myriad of approaches.
Personally, I make lists. Lists, because if I can write it down – preferably on one page, which may necessitate tiny writing – it feels manageable, contained as it is within margins.
Each of us should have at least two lists – many more are possible, but two is the minimum for me.
The first is a list of things that must be done – your traditional “To Do” list. This will say things like: “finish work project”, “buy Xmas gifts (see separate doc)” and “re-order medications”.
The second list is a lot like a To Do list, but aspirational. Mine is headed, “Stuff I Will Do When I Have Time”. Because this is how I ease the panic. Recording things on this list is the written equivalent of carefully loosening the top of a bottle of soda – the aim is to stop your head exploding all over the kitchen floor.
Currently on my SIWDWIHT list I have the following: change winter duvet cover (yes, I know it’s already December, I’ve been busy); wash wool blankets (waiting for reliable sunshine); use exercycle; spring clean office, buy shredder, buy thing that removes staples which would destroy shredder; shred stuff; get quotes for house painting; have lunch with aunt; unsubscribe from retail emails; clean dishwasher filter, vacuum lint in dryer (check manual first); sort FY26 receipts; teeth clean - cat; teeth clean – me; find out what is in top kitchen cupboards; sell exercycle?
The SIWDWIHT list works because it stops me berating myself for what I haven’t done - I wasn’t supposed to yet, that’s why it’s on that list!
Which means I can focus with relative calm and clarity on the To Do list, ticking things off with a red pen (or crossing them out with a Vivid depending on my general state and whether the meds have arrived) and thereby appreciate what I have done.
Another great strategy is to reflect back on previous years and note that you are still here, you survived. And if you get anxious about what to buy and what to eat because these must make perfect choices, again cast your mind back to even last year. What did you get, and what did you eat?
You will realise mostly what we remember is who was there. It’s the company that matters, not the stuff.
So this Chrismaggedon, give yourself a break. Take a deep breath and stick what you can on the SIWDWIHT list.